Greyhounds inject Spirit into playoff hopes

The Soo Greyhounds inched a step closer to finally securing the eighth and final playoff spot in the Ontario Hockey League's Western Conference with a win in Saginaw on Wednesday night.

Tyler Kennedy's goal in the third period proved to be the winner as the Greyhounds edged the Saginaw Spirit 3-2.

The Greyhounds move three points ahead of the Windsor Spitfires with two games remaining in the regular season. Windsor has a game in hand and will be in action on Thursday night.

The Greyhounds return home for the final two contests and will host Saginaw in the second half of the home-and-home series on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Gardens. The London Knights pay a visit on Sunday at 2 p.m.

In Saginaw, Tom Pyatt opened the scoring to give the Spirit a 1-0 first period lead.

Jeff Carter, who later added an assist, answered early in the second period with his 34th goal of the season before Jean-Michel Rizk put Saginaw ahead 2-1.

Jeff Larsh scored a huge goal for the Greyhounds with 1:29 remaining in the second period to tie the game at 2-2. Kennedy scored the winner 8:26 into the final period.

Kevin Druce made the start in goal for the Greyhounds and stopped 28 of 30 shots. Eric Pfligler kicked aside 30 of 33 Soo shots in the Saginaw net.

The Spitfires, meanwhile, will faceoff at home on Thursday against Sarnia before traveling to Erie on Friday night. The Spitfires conclude the season on Sunday at home to Plymouth.